Trent Harmon: Life after 'Idol'

Since Trent Harmon was named the winner of the 15th and final season of "American Idol," the 26-year-old Mississippi-born singer has been touring and penning new music under Big Machine Records.

"We went on a radio tour three weeks after 'Idol' and visited every radio station we could possibly get in" cramming 300 shows in six months," said Harmon, who will headline a show on Saturday at the Dusty Armadillo in Rootstown.

Harmon's debut label single "There's A Girl," features pedal steel guitar with some light pop influence, and made the Top 20 at Country radio. The song itself is Harmon's version of the old saying, "love makes you do crazy things." He co-wrote the tune with Nashville songwriters Jimmy Robbins and Laura Veltz.

Harmon's currently working in the studio on a new "country soul" album. Harmon has self-penned about half of the 12 track record. The album's release, via Big Machine Records, is slated for later this year.

After "Idol," Harmon received about five offers to open on big name tours, but he took the following months to rehearse with his Nashville band and write his own music.

"In my opinion, they are the best in the world," Harmon said. "There's nothing like getting your chops up and playing music all night. I'm the worst player in the band and that's how I want it to be."